The Rescue(79)

“How long did it take you to build this place?” said Decker.

“A long time. I sank most of the Marenkov kicker into this.”

World Recovery Group’s rescue of Boris Marenkov’s son from Ukrainian nationalists had yielded an unexpected bonus—ten million dollars split evenly between the fifteen WRG operators involved in the rescue. Aleman had served as a Russian translator on the ground through the entire operation.

“Why?” said Decker.

“I was convinced that the country was on the verge of a collapse event.”

“From what?” said Pierce.

“North Korean EMP. Russian cyberwarfare. Pandemic. Pick your poison,” said Aleman. “Maybe I watched one too many episodes of Doomsday Preppers.”

“Looks like it paid off,” said Decker.

“I suppose it did,” said Aleman, opening a new window on the screen. He expanded the grayscale picture to fit half of the monitor, bringing the scene into focus. They were watching the convoy approach on a live thermal feed.

“Where is the camera?” said Decker.

“Small boulder in the middle of the roof. Watch the screen. The first vehicle should hit in five seconds. Four. Three. Two. One. Boom.”

Nothing happened.

“Time for the fifty—”

The screen flashed white for a second before returning to the original grayscale image. A “white-hot” vehicle slowed to a stop on the road, the SUVs behind it barreling past. Decker stared at the screen, transfixed by the surreal scene unfolding in the middle of Texas. The house vibrated briefly, a deep crunching sound penetrating the structure.

“Oh. That’s a mistake. Should have stopped,” said Aleman, widening the view. “The next one should go in— Three. Two. One.”

Another whiteout filled the screen, the view immediately normalizing to show an SUV tumbling out of the camera feed. The convoy halted abruptly, most of them swerving wildly to avoid hitting the next vehicle in line. Another thump rattled the house.

“Now what?” said Pierce.

“We hope they go away,” said Aleman, laughing uneasily.

Decker knew they wouldn’t give up without more of a fight, his fears validated a few seconds later, when the eight remaining vehicles split into two groups of four SUVs—each turning off the road in different directions.

“Are the fifty-cals ready to go?” said Decker.

“One is in the south-facing tunnel. The other is in the armory.”

“Where’s the armory?”

“Go all the way to the back of this building, past the door we used to come in. You’ll see a metal spiral staircase leading upstairs. The armory is up the stairs. First door on the left. Lights are motion activated. Door code is seven-five-one-three.”

Decker started to leave, but his attention was drawn back to the screen. Another flash momentarily blinded the thermal camera, an ominous development revealing itself when the image returned.

“They’re pushing through the smaller charges,” said Aleman.

“At least they’re moving slower,” said Pierce.

“That’ll buy us some time, but we really need them to stop,” said Aleman, setting off the remaining charges simultaneously.

A discordance of rattling and distant explosions filled the air, Decker hoping they might be enough to at least give their attackers pause. The SUVs disappeared behind geysers of dirt and rock, emerging from the debris shower a few seconds later.

“It was worth a try,” said Aleman, standing. “Grab the other fifty. You’ll also find a night vision–equipped MK12.”

“Got it,” said Decker. “Where do we meet you?”

“No. You have to climb back up the ladder and engage from the roof.”

“I don’t like that,” said Pierce. “For all we know he’s going to leave and lock the door behind him.”

“There’s only one tunnel facing the road,” said Aleman. “And it’s barely wide enough for me to turn around.”

“We’ll be awfully exposed on the roof,” said Pierce.

“It’s the only way we can put three guns into action against them.”

“Then how do we get out of this place if everything goes to hell?” said Decker.

“From the armory. You’ll see the door when you get the weapons. It’s the only one in there. Same code. Close the door behind you.”

“I already forgot the code,” said Pierce.

“Seven-five-one-three,” said Decker.

“I’ll get the weapons sorted,” said Pierce, taking off.

“I’ll be right behind you,” said Decker, turning to Aleman. “How long is the tunnel?”

“About a quarter mile. You’ll find flashlights hanging on the back of the door.”

“Where is the tunnel you’ll be using?”

“Near the top of the ramp, right in the middle. There’s a wooden trapdoor.”

“You built it into the ramp?”

“Goes straight out, giving me an unrestricted view of the approach road,” said Aleman. “And I can wiggle out of the firing port, hitting them from behind if they drive onto the roof. That’s how I snuck up on the two of you.”

“I can’t believe you built this place.”